Watching the movie “Taken” or seeing an Amber alert sign gives a chill to every caring parent. Every mother’s nightmare is that someone might take and harm her child. To protect against that, I wanted my daughter to learn self-defense.
So we took a class together where we learned the self-defense style used in the Bourne Identity movie—which means we now know how to protect ourselves with our hands, a pen, or even a rolled-up magazine (hopefully someday we’ll graduate to Jason Bourne status!) Our instructor taught us self-defense using the acrostic “Escape to Gain Safety” (to go for the Eyes, the Throat, the Groin and the Shin.

God as our loving Heavenly Father is also concerned for our safety so He has taught us how to avoid being taken captive by Satan, our adversary.

The first rule of safety that my daughter and I learned is: do all you can to ensure that you do not put yourself in a position of harm. Our instructor warned us to be aware of our surroundings at all times and to avoid the places and situations that most likely could lead to danger.

Similarly, God tells us to not be ignorant of the schemes of the enemy (2nd Corinthians 2:11) and to “Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring (in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour.” 1st Peter 5:8 Amplified

We learned the best way to avoid danger is to flee from it. In several scriptures God also commands us to flee temptation that otherwise will lead to our harm.

“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.But you, man of God, flee from all this…” 1st Timothy 6:10-11

In addition, our instructor taught us specific moves to help us defend ourselves against an attack should one occur. God also gives us specific instructions on how to counteract the attacks of Satan. His Word would support that ‘the best defense is a good offense.’

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7

“… be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. …take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance…” Ephesians 6:10-11, 13-18

After our self-defense course, my daughter and I both felt far better prepared and more confident regarding our ability to avoid and protect ourselves in the event of an attack from an adversary. How prepared are you to face your adversary Satan, whose desire is to “rob, steal, kill and destroy you” (John 10:10)?

Do you need to be more vigilant in learning about the devil’s schemes? Do you need to be fleeing some area of temptation? Or is there some aspect of ‘the armor of God” that you need to put on so you are able to withstand the devil when he attacks you?